Interfacial smoothening of polymer multilayers with molecules: a new approach in growing supramolecular layer structures
Interfacial smoothening of polymer multilayers with molecules: a new approach in growing supramolecular layer structures
The development of polymer-based structures is hindered due to the difficulties in realizing well-defined modulated structures without interpenetration of charged polymers. Two types of polyelectrolyte multilayer structures, with and without embedded layers of the biomolecule, glutamic acid, are com...
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Personal Name(s): | Paul, N. (Corresponding Author) |
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Paul, A. / Mattauch, S. / Müller-Buschbaum, P. / Böni, P. / Lux-Steiner, M. Ch. | |
Contributing Institute: |
JCNS-FRM-II; JCNS-FRM-II Neutronenstreuung; JCNS-1 |
Published in: | Soft matter, 9 (2013) 42, S. 10117-10128 |
Imprint: |
London
Royal Soc. of Chemistry
2013
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DOI: |
10.1039/c3sm51792f |
Document Type: |
Journal Article |
Research Program: |
JCNS Soft Matter Composites |
Subject (ZB): | |
Publikationsportal JuSER |
The development of polymer-based structures is hindered due to the difficulties in realizing well-defined modulated structures without interpenetration of charged polymers. Two types of polyelectrolyte multilayer structures, with and without embedded layers of the biomolecule, glutamic acid, are compared using infrared spectroscopy and X-ray and neutron scattering techniques. Structure characterization of polyelectrolyte multilayers focuses usually on the arrangement along the surface normal. Using specular and off-specular neutron scattering we get insight into the in- and out-of-plane arrangement of the structure. A formation of well-defined, smooth layers is observed in the structure containing the biomolecule. This reduced roughness is associated with a drastic decrease in chain mobility responsible for interpenetration. In contrast, the multilayer without the biomolecule forms an island-like structure. Thus biomolecules can interrupt the propagation of island-like structures at such interfaces which can be effectively used in achieving well-defined supramolecular layer structures out of charged polymers. |